Weekend Roundup

It’s Monday, July 18, 2011. There was a lot going on this weekend in Martinez, and I hope you got to be part of some or all of it. I missed the final episode of Harry Potter Friday – if you went, write and tell me how it was, or better yet, post it in the comment stream. I was at the premiere of dinner service at Creek Monkey Tap House, and the place was so packed that they ran out of food for the next day. The staff was hopping from the time I got there around 6 p.m. until closing just after 10 p.m. It’s great to see that kind of turnout for a new place – proof that downtown Martinez continues to move forward (incrementally) as a destination spot. I didn’t get a chance to make the community sale on Sunday, but these events are always well-attended, and I’m sure yesterday’s event was no exception. There is something almost voyeur-like about looking at other people’s collection of stuff, even if you’re just browsing. And it’s surprising what people are willing to buy – that toy taking up space in your attic for the past 15 years turns out to be some guy’s ultimate score.

As we go into this week, the City Council will have its final meeting Wednesday before taking its annual summer break, though they will be the first people to jump into the city’s new Aquatic Center at the celebration later this week. Watch this space for more information about that. The pool opens to the public next Saturday, July 23.

WEATHER:
Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s. Southwest winds around 5 mph, becoming west 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

POLICE LOG (The following incidents are taken from the Daily Police Log; they are rewritten by Martinez Patch):

July 14

Egg Trap – Eight to ten teenagers were reported blocking the intersection of Howe Road and Old Orchard Lane with yellow ‘caution’ tape, and then egging cars as they passed.
Pool Vandals – A group of teenagers were reported throwing things into the new Aquatic Center pool on Buckley Street, then getting into the pool.
Withdrawal of a Different Kind – A man was arrested for using drugs in the bushes of the Chase Bank parking lot on Alhambra Avenue.
Branching Out – A tree trimming service was reported dumping tree shrubs into open space on Chilpancingo between Lost Lake and Lakeview.

July 15

Trampoline Accident – A two-year-old girl fell off a trampoline on Shadow Falls Court, hitting her head. Emergency crews responded.
Water Problem – A resident of a Foster Street apartment reported that water has been running in the upstairs unit for two days, and is now leaking through the ceiling. The occupant of the upstairs unit could not be contacted.
Baby in Car – A 17-month-old baby was reported locked in a car on Raap Avenue.
Burglary – A home on Vine Hill Way was broken into via the back door, and a TV stolen.
Pool Prowlers – Two men were seen at the new Aquatic Center shooting off large firecrackers and throwing paint cans at the pool wall.
Hydrant Hooligans – A group of people were opening fire hydrants up Pacheco Boulevard, beginning in Pleasant Hill.

July 16

Car Theft – A car was stolen on Muir Road.
Burglary – The front door of a home on Ulfinian Way was kicked in, and a laptop and jewelry taken.
Tired – A group of kids at Nancy Boyd Park were reported rolling tires down a hill, and one almost rolled into a family.
On Campus Off Roading – A white pickup truck is reported trying to go off roading on the campus of John Muir Elementary School on Vista Way.
Boomers – A pair of young men were reportedly shooting off large firecrackers in the carport of a home on Marina Vista.
Gun Incident – Two juveniles reportedly pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the clerk at Quik Stop on Alhambra Avenue.

MEETINGS:

The Martinez City Council meets Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 525 Henrietta Street. Among the items scheduled for discussion are four appeals of the Planning Commission’s approval in April of the Alhambra Highlands project.

EVENTS:

TODAY IN HISTORY (from Wikipedia):

1955 - The first Disneyland theme park, in Anaheim, California, officially opens to the public.

1968 - The Intel Corporation is founded in Santa Clara, California.

1969 - After a party on Chappaquiddick Island, Senator Ted Kennedy from Massachusetts drives an Oldsmobile off a bridge and his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, dies.

1976 - Nadia Comăneci became the first person in Olympic Games history to score a perfect 10 in gymnastics at the 1976 Summer Olympics.